State Lawmakers Approve Gun Control Measures

Linda Beigel Schulman of Dix Hills, holding a photo of her son Scott, meets with Governor Andrew Cuomo in Albany Tuesday prior to votes in the state legislature on a series of gun control bills. Scott Beigel was killed protecting his students during last year’s Parkland shooting in Florida.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

New York State lawmakers passed Tuesday a series of bills to strengthen the state’s gun control regulations.

The legislative package easily passed the Assembly, long a Democratic stronghold, and also garnered a sizable majority in the Senate, where Democrats regained control earlier this month.

The gun control legislation was the first to pass both houses of the legislature since 2013, when the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act was approved weeks after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

“Last year young people across the country mobilized in a transformative movement to march for their lives,” Senator Jim Gaughran (D- Northport) said. “It shouldn't take a tragedy to spur action.”

Gaughran, who supported the legislation, was joined on the Senate floor by Dix Hills residents Michael Schulman and Linda Beigel Schulman whose son Scott Beigel was killed while protecting his students during last year’s mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.

One piece of legislation establishes extreme risk protection orders, known commonly as “red flags.” This allows a judge to prohibit a person from purchasing, possessing or attempting to purchase or possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun if law enforcement officials, family members or certain school officials believe the person is “likely to engage in conduct that would result in serious harm to themselves or others.”

Beigel Schulman said advocating for the “red flag” bill has been “my mission.”

“I know that no matter how senseless and no matter how incomprehensible the Parkland massacre was, Scott's murder was, when we pass the Red Flag law… Scott's murder will now save lives,” she said.

A second bill prevents school districts from allowing teachers to carry guns in schools. The bill prevents K-12 schools from authorizing anyone other than a security officer, school resource officer or law enforcement officer to carry a firearm on school grounds.

Other legislation approved Tuesday would ban the sale and manufacture of a device that accelerates the rate of fire of a firearm, such as bump stocks.

Dix Hills residents Linda Beigel Schulman, right, and Michael Schulman, left, join Senator Jim Gaughran on the floor of the State Senate for passing of gun control legislation.

Lawmakers also approved the creation of regulated gun buyback programs and established an extension of up to thirty-days when required for national in-state background checks.

Senate minority leader John Flanagan (R- East Northport), who voted against four of the gun control bills, said in a statement Tuesday that “many of the bills being rushed through the Legislature today do nothing to address the serious, underlying causes of school violence or keep our students safe.” Flanagan urged Democrats to vote for an amendment put forward by Republicans that would have given schools the “authority and resources to hire an armed school resource officer.”

Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the gun control legislation into law in the coming days.

Four Teens Earn Eagle Scout Rank

Joshua Kimmelstein, Thomas Kowalski, Tristan Delaney and Dylan Campbell take the pledge as they are inducted into the elite ranks of Eagle Scouts by Boy Scouts of America Suffolk County Council VP David Hunt.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Four scouts from Troop 106 of Huntington were recognized for earning their Eagle award, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

A ceremony and reception held on Jan. 22 honored Dylan Campbell, Thomas Kowalski, Tristan Delaney and Joshua Kimelstein, who became numbers 94, 95, 96 and 97 to achieve Eagle in their troop’s 60-year-history.

Scouts in Troop 106 opened the ceremony with a candle lighting, called “The Trail to Eagle.” Following speeches by public officials, scout leaders and the inductees themselves on the road to becoming an Eagle, each of the boys presented “mentor pins” to those who helped them along the way:their fathers, and scoutmaster Mike Terrone.

In order to become an Eagle Scout, the scouts must rise through each rank: scout, tenderfoot, second class, first class, star, life and finally eagle. They are required to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, 13 of which are specified, and must show leadership in their troop by holding various positions like a patrol leader, event organizer or instructor to younger scouts.

“The beauty of the boy scouts is they have a safe environment to really try and experiment in different leadership roles,” Kowalski said.

Eagle scout Dylan Campbell with his nephew, Tiger Cub Scout RJ Lahey from Pack 406 in Melville.

The final challenge is to complete an Eagle Service Project, where they lead others through helping an organization. Campbell built a new awards podium for his high school wrestling team, while Delaney constructed a mobile kiosk for Sweetbriar Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Once their proposal is approved by the Boys Scout’s Suffolk County Council, it is up to the scouts to fundraise for their project and enlist volunteers to make it happen. Kimelstein and Kowalski raised money through car washes, while the other scouts held pasta fundraisers. Each was able to take on the role of project manager as they led their teams to complete their plan.

“These particular boys have the drive, and that’s what the rank of eagle scout signifies,” Kowalski said. “The boys who want it, can earn it, they just have to have the desire to see the project through.”

The newest Eagle Scouts joined Troop 106 around the same time and were able to motivate each other as they saw one another rise in rank. Scout leaders, Terrone and Kowalski have been able to utilize their experience as Boy Scouts themselves to aid their scouts’ journeys.

“Our troop, in particular, is very focused on getting the boys there,” Kowalski said. “If the boys want to do it, myself, Mike Terrone and other scout leaders are there for them, to give them advice and guidance with executing the project.”

Smyth Asks Residents To ‘Pick Six’

Councilman Ed Smyth is spearheading a town wide effort to reduce litter by picking up six pieces of trash each day.

A town board member is leading the charge in an effort to keep Huntington clean.

Huntington Councilman Ed Smyth hosted a press conference Jan. 24 unveiling his anti-litter initiative, “Pick Six.”

Smyth is asking Huntington residents and visitors alike to “pick six” and help to clean up litter strewn around town. The idea is for every person in Huntington to pick up six pieces of litter each day.

“Protecting the environment is critically important.  We cannot lose sight of big picture concerns like global warming and clean drinking water,” Smyth said. “These issues require global attention, but everyone can act on a local level on a daily basis.  It starts with cleaning up the litter right in front of you.”

Smyth said by solving the “small picture,” like the litter found on sidewalks and in parks, residents can make Huntington a cleaner and more environmentally friendly place to live, work and visit. In small ways an individual can help address a global concern.

“Do it every day. Make it habitual,” Smyth said. “We can all make a difference.”